To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert

29 June 1799

Sir	Navy Depart. 29. June 1799.

I am honored with your letter of the 24h. Inst—In consequence of which I now enclose a letter I recd. from Capt Talbot on the subject of his Officers—

Not deeming it proper to send on a second Captain to Act on board the Constitution—and not having the power of sending on to Act as first Lt., a fit person older in comn. than Lt. Beale. I saw no way of getting things right in that Ship, but to remove Lt. Beale into another; & to propose the appointment of two other Lts. who have been repeatedly recommended by Mr Higginson, as the best Men, willing to enter the Service as Lts—to rank after Lts Hale & Hamilton.

Tullman lost his arm on board of the Trumbull, in an Action, in which it is said he distinguished himself—Doble I saw—He appeared to be a fit man to be a Lt.—and he also has had experience on board of armed Ships.

I have the honor to be with the highest respect & esteem / sir yr. most Obed Servt.

Ben Stoddert

I have advice from Mr. Higginson, & from Talbot, that the Constitution will be ready for Sea early in July. I shall send on Instructions by Mondays mail. I have sent the original of Talbotts letter, (which he meant as confidential) not having time to get it copied for this mail.

MHi: Adams Papers.

This early access document derives from raw transcriptions, prior to editing and publication in Rotunda's American History Collection. If this document is cited in formal research, it should be noted that it is not a final version, and that the URL you used to access it is not permanent.
Please report any errors or problems you notice in documents.